Every now and then you come across a work of art that stops you in your tracks. It grabs you by the throat, screams “look at me” in your face, and you’re lucky to get away without the bugger nutting you one. Mike Hewson‘s Homage To The Lost Spaces (Government Life Building Studios) is one such work. Blisteringly original, powerful, emotive – this touching piece of public art sees Hewson revitalise the earthquake damaged Christchurch Normal School with dramatic large-format photography installations.

Using photographs taken at the city’s Government Life Building Studios (a base for numerous artists, right up until February 2011’s horrific natural disaster), Hewson places New Zealand artists like Tony de Latour and Sam Harrison firmly into the public eye – celebrating talent, creativity and determined community spirit. As Hewson’s canvas prepares for demolition, his staggering work will long remain a fitting tribute. Just brilliant.